The Freedom Fighter and Politician – SK Amin

SK Amin is a prominent politician and freedom fighter. Seetharam Koosayya Amin, born on the 6th of June, 1917, has been a luminary in the field of politics in the State of Karnataka. Having held the position of a vice president of the District Congress Committee, Amin made his way into the Karnataka State Legislative Assembly in the year 1967 from the district of Udupi.

His name shines bright for yet another contribution of being the Founder of the South Canara District Co-Operative Fish Marketing Federation, which played a vital role in lifting the standard of living of fishermen in its entirety by virtue of the various socio-economic programs which were implemented successfully by the above mentioned establishment.

His Initiatives and Work

As mentioned above, Amin’s institution set the ball rolling for growth within the community of fishermen. He also had a pivotal role to play in the mechanisation of fisheries in the area of South Canara. This earned him the honour of being awarded the Karnataka Rajyothsava Award in the year 1991 by the State Government of Karnataka. The award was also given to him for heralding the co-operative movement and for his tireless efforts in social service in Karnataka.

The scene of fishermen in South Canara was a dismal one before Amin’s actions. They were constantly exploited by middlemen and the Sahukaars (traders in fishes) who held total control over fish trade in the district.

Once the institution of the Fish Marketing Federation was set up, this injustice and discrimination against the fishermen came to a grinding halt and the entire community saw the hope that they had longed for.

His Different Roles

The Central Government took note of Amin’s efforts and he was made a part of the Planning Commission in the year 1973 for the fifth Five Year Plan. The State Export Promotion Advisory Board also owes its success to this man as he was a member between 1969 and 1971. He was the Director of the Export Import Bank of India, and this was a key position that he held.

His Personal Life

Having lost his father at a tender age and also bearing the burden of being the eldest son in the family, Amin moved to Bombay with his family of four brothers and two sisters. He started out as an office boy in M/s Batliboi and Karani.

His enthusiasm for spots and his skills took him into the cricket and football teams of the Tata Group. Amin was highly influenced by the ideology of Karnad Sadashiva Rao, and he was ably guided by Molahalli Shivarao. This was the main driving force and the reason why he challenged and changed the face of the fishermen community by initiating the cooperative movement for the fisheries. Amin breathed his last on the 13th of September, 1995.